‘I am in need of music,’ the Elizabeth Bishop Centenary legacy recording, the brainchild of the Nova Scotian soprano Suzie LeBlanc, is a musical program which commemorates the connection between Great Village, Nova Scotia, and the distinguished American poet Elizabeth Bishop. Ms. LeBlanc commissioned four of Canada’s top composers to set Bishop’s poems for her to sing with The Elizabeth Bishop Players (Dinuk Wijeratne, Conductor) and Blue Engine String Quartet. The program of original compositions was first performed on the occasion of the Bishop centenary celebrations in 2011.

Jury Comments: Suzie LeBlanc’s passion and commitment are obvious, noted the jury. The music is moving, rich and full of small surprises. It has been performed in several venues, affirming its excellence and spreading impact. The eleven compositions may be thought of as a compendium, rather than as a single work.